Here is the latest on injuries and roster moves involving MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects:
LATEST NEWS
No. 25 Charlie Condon, 3B/OF, Rockies
Began rehab assignment
Sidelined since March 11 due to a non-displaced fracture of his left wrist, Condon began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on May 5. Condon, the third overall pick in the 2024 Draft and Colorado's No. 2 prospect, went 2-for-2 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and two RBIs in his season debut. Once fully healthy, Condon is likely to be assigned to High-A Spokane, where he appeared in 25 games last season in his pro debut. (Last updated: May 6)
No. 30 Rhett Lowder, RHP, Reds
Injury: Right elbow injury
On rehab assignment
The Reds were cautious with their second-ranked prospect after an MRI on his elbow showed no structural damage, but Lowder returned to action with a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on May 6. Lowder said he didn't feel like he was recovering well from bullpens in January but feels great now that he's working with fellow rehabbing players. (Last updated: May 6)
No. 43 Blake Mitchell, C, Royals
Began rehab assignment
Mitchell appeared in his first rehab game in the Arizona Complex League on May 5 and collected a single, a walk and a pair of RBIs in his return from a broken hamate sustained in Spring Training that landed him on the 7-day IL on April 4. The eighth overall pick in the 2023 Draft spent most of last season at Single-A before getting into five games at High-A. Mitchell's final 135 wRC+ between both spots was tops among Royals full-season Minor Leaguers and best among qualified full-season teenaged catchers, and he amassed a .232/.368/.424 slash line across both levels during the regular season before getting a couple hits in eight at-bats for Quad Cities in the postseason. (Last updated: May 6)
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MORE TOP 100 PROSPECT NEWS
(ordered by ranking)
No. 2 Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins
Injury: Left ankle stiffness
Expected return: At least early June
Jenkins has lingering left ankle soreness and will remain out for at least a few more weeks. The Twins' top prospect first suffered a sprained left ankle during Spring Training. He missed much of camp but returned in time to open the season on the active roster of Double-A Wichita. However, he experienced recurring discomfort and was placed on the injured list after two games. The soreness has continued for Jenkins, who received a cortisone shot recently in hopes of dissipating it. A club spokesperson said Jenkins is not expected to play before the end of May. (Last updated: April 29)
No. 24 Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B, Tigers
Injury: Ankle
Expected return: TBD
After playing all nine innings on Opening Day for High-A West Michigan, McGonigle will miss time on the IL with an ankle injury. The 2023 Draft's No. 37 overall pick doubled twice and collected four RBIs in his season debut after slashing .309/.401/.452 across two levels in his first professional season in 2024. (Last updated: April 8)
No. 28 Ethan Salas, C, Padres
Injury: Back spasms
Expected return: Early May
Salas hasn’t appeared in game action since April 17, with back spasms throwing a wrench into his early-season plans. The 18-year-old is back at the club’s complex in Peoria, Ariz., and has returned to both swinging the bat and throwing from behind the plate. Salas is the youngest player at Double-A, and while the offensive numbers haven’t jumped off the page, he has walked (six) more than he has struck out (five) while continuing to show aptitude beyond his years as a receiver and game-caller. (Last updated: April 30)
No. 31 Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians
Injury: Left-side core muscle injury
Expected return: TBD
DeLauter is seven weeks post bilateral core muscle repair performed by Dr. William Meyers. He is responding well to his current rehab program and has returned to full baseball activity without setbacks. Chase will continue with his current rehab program and will begin game activity within the next several weeks. The 23-year-old suffered the injury while doing pregame defensive work on Feb. 28. After being diagnosed with a sports hernia, DeLauter had a bilateral repair to also stabilize his right side. (Last updated: April 30)
No. 39 Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers
Injury: Right shoulder impingement
Expected return: TBD
The Rangers hope Rocker will only miss a couple of starts with a mild right shoulder impingement. The 25-year-old Vanderbilt product told the team his shoulder was bothering him after his April 23 start. Rocker had shoulder surgery in September 2021, just months before Texas took him in the Draft with the third overall pick. In his first full season in the big leagues, Rocker has a 3.00 ERA at home, but a 15.75 ERA on the road. (Last updated: April 24)
No. 40 Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals
Injury: Shoulder soreness
Expected return: TBD
The No. 4 left-handed pitching prospect in baseball was placed on the 7-day IL with left shoulder soreness on April 13. The timeline for his return depends on how his shoulder responds to treatment, according to MLB.com's John Denton. Mathews has gone 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA over 10 1/3 innings spanning three starts for Triple-A Memphis this year, most recently on April 11. (Last updated: April 14)
No. 42 Jeferson Quero, C, Brewers
Injury: Right shoulder rehab, strained hamstring
Expected return: TBD
Quero went on the Minor League IL on March 31 after suffering a strained hamstring. He has been cleared to resume baseball activities and will not need surgery for the hamstring issue, which occurred as the 22-year-old was completing his comeback from last year's shoulder surgery. (Last updated: April 22)
No. 55 Luke Keaschall, 2B, Twins
Injury: Nondisplaced fracture of his right forearm
Expected return: TBD
Keaschall does not need surgery on his fractured right ulna bone, but it’s probably going to be a couple of months before the dynamic rookie is playing in games again, according to the Twins. The 2023 second-round pick will have weekly X-rays to make sure his nondisplaced fracture stays nondisplaced and will be re-evaluated in late May. (Last updated: April 28)
No. 56 Angel Genao, INF, Guardians
Injury: Right shoulder sprain
Expected return: June
Genao sustained a right shoulder sprain during Spring Training. He's progressed well and is focusing on light shoulder strengthening and passive mobility. (Last updated: April 1)
No. 64 Travis Sykora, RHP, Nationals
Injury: Labrum surgery
Expected return: May
In his first recorded game action of the season, Sykora spun two innings in a rehab start at the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. The righty struck out six batters, allowing one run on one hit and one walk. The 6-foot-6 right-hander underwent minor labrum surgery on his hip over the winter. In his breakout 2024 campaign, he struck out 129 batters with a 2.33 ERA in 85 Single-A innings. (Last updated: May 3)
No. 85 Cam Collier, 3B, Reds
Injury: Left thumb surgery
Expected return: TBD
The Reds' No. 4 prospect will begin the season on the injured list after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb while applying a tag in a game vs. the Cubs on March 2. His hand has since been immobilized, and Collier is scheduled for surgery on March 13. The operation will be performed in Arizona by hand surgeon Dr. Donald Sheridan. (Last updated: March 9)